Episode 0445 · Jan 21, 1998 · 38m
January 21, 1998: Open Lines, Lewinsky Scandal
Key Moments
Open transcriptNewsweek's 17 tapes / 20 hoursBell reads the Newsweek briefing live: surreptitiously taped Lewinsky–Tripp conversations, 17 audio tapes totaling 20 hours, suggesting Lewinsky discussed an affair with Clinton and conversations with Vernon Jordan about being subpoenaed in the Paula Jones case.
Tapes do not show coaching to lieBell flags the careful Newsweek caveat: the tapes do not confirm or disprove that either Clinton or Vernon Jordan ever coached Lewinsky to lie, and Lewinsky is scheduled to be deposed by Jones lawyers on Friday.
Art Bell opens the phone lines as the Monica Lewinsky scandal dominates the news cycle. Newsweek has obtained 17 audio tapes containing 20 hours of conversations between former White House intern Lewinsky and Pentagon aide Linda Tripp, in which Lewinsky appears to describe a sexual relationship with President Clinton and indicates she plans to deny it under oath. Art reads extensively from wire reports and listener faxes as the story develops in real time.
Art expresses conflicted feelings about the scandal, acknowledging that if Clinton suborned perjury the consequences are unavoidable, while lamenting that removing a sitting president over such circumstances would wound the country deeply. He notes that Clinton's economic record has been reasonable and warns listeners to consider that impeachment leads directly to an Al Gore presidency. Callers and fax writers are sharply divided between those eager to see Clinton removed and those who view the scandal as a political distraction.
The program also includes a brief segment with Norio Hayakawa, who discusses his hypothesis that advanced military technology at Area 51 could be used to stage fake extraterrestrial events, and announces a planned citizen gathering at the base perimeter on June 6, 1998.
Art expresses conflicted feelings about the scandal, acknowledging that if Clinton suborned perjury the consequences are unavoidable, while lamenting that removing a sitting president over such circumstances would wound the country deeply. He notes that Clinton's economic record has been reasonable and warns listeners to consider that impeachment leads directly to an Al Gore presidency. Callers and fax writers are sharply divided between those eager to see Clinton removed and those who view the scandal as a political distraction.
The program also includes a brief segment with Norio Hayakawa, who discusses his hypothesis that advanced military technology at Area 51 could be used to stage fake extraterrestrial events, and announces a planned citizen gathering at the base perimeter on June 6, 1998.
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